Chain for accumulating conveyor

Abstract

A conveyor chain carries products at a speed which is higher than the speed at which the chain moves and provides a low backline pressure when it accumulates products. The product-carrying roller is driven by two side rollers which run on rails on the conveyor frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A link for a conveyor chain, comprising: a connecting pin having a center and first and second ends;   an inner sleeve mounted over said pin; said inner sleeve having a tapered outer surface;   a large diameter product roller mounted over said inner sleeve near the center of the pin, said large diameter product roller having an outside surface for carrying products, an inside surface, and first and second side surfaces;   first and second rail rollers mounted over said inner sleeve adjacent to said first and second side surfaces of said product roller, respectively, said first and second rail rollers having tapered inside diameters with a shape that supplements the tapered outer surface of the inner sleeve, so that the supplementary tapered surfaces on the inner sleeve and the rail rollers urge the first and second rail rollers against the first and second side surfaces of the product roller, respectively.   
     
     
       2. A link for a conveyor chain as recited in claim 1, wherein said inner sleeve is made in two pieces. 
     
     
       3. A link for a conveyor chain as recited in claim 2, and further comprising first and second inner link sidebars pivotably mounted over said pin outside of the inner sleeve; and first and second outer link sidebars press fit on said pin outside of the first and second inner link sidebars, respectively. 
     
     
       4. A conveyor, comprising: a frame, including first and second parallel rails and a top surface;   a chain mounted on said frame, said chain including:   a plurality of connecting pins, each having a center and first and second ends;   an inner sleeve mounted over each of said pins; said inner sleeve having a tapered outer surface;   a large diameter product roller mounted over each of said inner sleeves near the center of its pin, said large diameter product roller having an outside surface for carrying products, an inside surface, and first and second side surfaces;   first and second rail rollers mounted over each of said inner sleeves adjacent to said first and second side surfaces of said product roller, respectively, said first and second rail rollers having tapered inside diameters with a shape that supplements the tapered outer surface of the inner sleeve, so that the supplementary tapered surfaces on the inner sleeve and the rail rollers urge the first and second rail rollers against the first and second side surfaces of the product roller; said first and second rail rollers being supported by said parallel rails, and said product rollers projecting above the top surface of said frame.